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AM backs Safe Standing areas at football stadia

Labour AM for the Vale of Clwyd, Ann Jones, has backed calls for the introduction of safe standing areas at football grounds as a way of enhancing the fan experience without compromising on safety.

Ms Jones said: “Safety at matches is paramount and it is important that we learn from the tragic lessons of the past. Almost half of the top German teams have installed rail seats which facilitate safe standing without compromising on safety.

“We need to introduce safe standing areas to ensure that disabled fans – like those in wheelchairs, don’t have their view spoiled by fellow fans standing when the game gets exciting. Safe standing should improve access to games for disabled fans.

“As long we can guarantee safety – I support the introduction of standing areas at grounds, to enhance the experience for all fans”.

Safe standing areas allocate enough space for fans and have enough room to ensure that no fan would ever be more than an arm’s length (40cm / 15 inches) away from a sturdy rail. The safety features and design of rail seats ensure that fans can stand in a safe manner, avoiding a return to the terraces of the 1980s.